--- title: "Spending a Day in Santo Domingo" url: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/blog/2016/12/12/spending-a-day-in-santo-domingo/ date: 2016-12-12 modified: 2026-09-02 lang: en author: "Casa de Campo" description: "Santo Domingo is a must-visit destination in the Dominican Republic. Not only is it the capital of the country, it’s rich with history, having been founded by Bartholomew Columbus (brother..." categories: - "Blog" image: https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/santo-domingo-480x280-2.jpg word_count: 559 --- # Spending a Day in Santo Domingo ## Key Takeaways - Santo Domingo sits less than two hours from Casa de Campo, and the post recommends arriving by mid-morning to see the city’s highlights in one day. - Zona Colonial is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it features colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, monuments, public squares, and Calle del Conde. - 3 Eyes National Park (Los Tres Ojos) has 3 lagoons fed by underground rivers, and visitors descend a large staircase to explore open-air limestone caves before boarding a small raft across the last lagoon. Santo Domingo is a must-visit destination in the Dominican Republic. Not only is it the capital of the country, it’s rich with history, having been founded by Bartholomew Columbus (brother of Christopher Columbus) in 1496. It’s been continuously inhabited ever since. ![Historic Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/davidalaspm.jpg)Photo Credit: @davidalaspm   Santo Domingo is less than two hours away from Casa de Campo, but you’re going to want to hit the road early in order to experience the highlights of this amazing city. Plan to arrive in Santo Domingo by mid-morning. Your first stop is the Colonial Zone or *Zona Colonial* as it’s called locally. This section of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Grab a coffee and then spend some time wandering the neighborhood, enjoying the colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, monuments, public squares, and the pedestrian-only street *Calle del Conde*. ![Calle del Conde in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/jmercadophotography.jpg)Photo Credit: @jmercadophotography   After spending some time exploring the streets of the Colonial Zone, your next stop is the *Catedral Primada de America*, built in 1514 it was the first church to be erected in the New World, and still maintains its stunning architecture. Audio guides are available in multiple languages and are useful for touring the cathedral. ![Catedral Primada de America Cathedral in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/awjei.jpg)Photo Credit: @awjei   To learn more about the rich colonial history (and architecture) of Santo Domingo, visit the *Alcazar de Colon*. Built in the early 1500’s under the son of Christopher Columbus, it’s the oldest Viceroyal home in America. While the home fell into ruin over the centuries, in the 1950’s it was extensively restored and now houses an important collection of European works of art. ![Alcazar de Colon Santo Domingo Dominican Republic](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Alcazar-de-Colon-ed_j_h.jpg)Photo Credit: @ed_j_h   Upon leaving the Alcazar, head down George Washington Avenue to the Malecon district. This area has a beautiful pedestrian boardwalk along the ocean that’s perfect for strolling and building up an appetite for a late lunch. The area’s many local restaurants offer everything from traditional Dominican cuisine to steakhouses and pizzerias, so there’s sure to be an option to satisfy your hunger. ![Malecon district Santo Domingo Dominican Republic](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/jonawerdsbr.jpg)Photo Credit: @jonawerdsbr   Following lunch, you’ll cross the *Rio Ozama* and head to your final stop in Santo Domingo, the 3 Eyes National Park (*Los Tres Ojos*). Situated in the middle of the city is this incredible urban oasis featuring a series of open-air limestone caves with 3 lagoons fed by underground rivers. Descend down a large staircase to explore the caves, surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. Swimming isn’t permitted, but you can board a small raft and travel across the last lagoon to feed the fish. 3 Eyes National Park is one of the most popular attractions in the Dominican Republic and is not to be missed! ![Los Tres Ojos, The Three Eyes National Park Santo Domingo Dominican Republic](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/bolivarsanchezm.jpg)Photo Credit: @bolivarsanchezm To explore the city with the expertise of a local guide, join one of our [Santo Domingo historic excursions](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/excursions/). Tours depart the resort at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays and the cost includes transportation and admission fees to the historical sites. After spending a busy day in the city, return back to Casa De Campo Resort & Villas where you can spend the evening at leisure, enjoying the ocean breezes at [the marina](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/marina/), or the calm waters of the pool at your [private villa](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/villas/), while you reflect on your explorations in Santo Domingo. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How long does it take to get to Santo Domingo from Casa de Campo for a day trip?** A: Santo Domingo is less than two hours away from Casa de Campo, so the trip works best as an early start rather than a relaxed late departure. The blog recommends arriving by mid-morning to fit in the Colonial Zone, the cathedral, lunch on the Malecon, and 3 Eyes National Park without rushing. That timing matters because the itinerary is built around several stops across the city. **Q: What is the best way to see Santo Domingo in one day from Casa de Campo?** A: A guided [Santo Domingo historic excursions](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/excursions/) trip is the cleanest option if you want local context and built-in logistics. Casa de Campo, Casa De Campo, Casadecampo offers tours that depart the resort at 8:15 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the cost includes transportation and admission fees to the historical sites. That makes it easier to cover the Colonial Zone, Alcazar de Colon, and other stops without piecing everything together yourself. **Q: What should I do first when spending a day in Santo Domingo?** A: The Colonial Zone, or Zona Colonial, is the right first stop because it concentrates the city’s historic core in one walkable area. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, monuments, public squares, and Calle del Conde, which is pedestrian-only. Starting there early gives you time to wander before moving on to the cathedral and other sites. **Q: Do I need a guided tour for the main historic sites in Santo Domingo?** A: A guide helps if you want more than a quick look at the landmarks. The blog points out that audio guides are available in multiple languages at Catedral Primada de America, and that [Santo Domingo historic excursions](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/excursions/) add transportation plus admission fees for historical sites. That combination is useful if you want context for places like Alcazar de Colon without managing every detail yourself. **Q: Where should I stay after a day trip to Santo Domingo from Casa de Campo?** A: Casa De Campo Resort & Villas makes sense as the base because the day ends back at the resort after sightseeing. The blog specifically mentions spending the evening at leisure by the ocean breezes at [the marina](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/experiences/marina/) or relaxing by the pool at your [private villa](https://www.casadecampo.com.do/villas/). That setup works well after a full day in the city since it gives you a quiet reset instead of another transfer.